<HTML>Thank you for your words of gentle chiding and encouragement (Lookjed 54)
I was very interested to read the question relating to "Substance Abuse"
and eagerly awaited the suggested answers.
My eagerness was self-serving as I am about to embark on two separate
projects in this regard and I had hoped that others might have been able
to guide me through their own experiences.
I think that one has to be brave enough at the outset to admit that these
challenging (read difficult) issues concern all of us, and that if one is
able to act before a problem develops then one not only should, but should
feel a duty to do so.
We feel, that there are really two issues that lie at the heart of any of
these issues:
1. Communication
2. Self-esteem
If these two hugely difficult subjects can be tackled, then all of the
other difficulties will fall into place.
I realise that this is ideal, and so have initiated two projects:
1. We are about to embark on Bnei Brith International's "Parent Teen
Dialogue" experience, once we have adapted it to our needs (South African
and not American and Religious-wise)
2. We are meeting with as many of our parents as possible to try to
understand the issues from their perspectives. This, together with
meetings with the pupils and teachers, and Drug Education Programmes
should allow us to determine an admissions policy regarding Substance
Abuse, and other Nasty Type Behaviour.
My questions are:
1. Can anyone relate his or her experience with the Bnei Brith
Programme?
2. Is it the right / duty of the school to legislate beyond its
borders? This presupposes the idea that the school has borders and is not
part of Rabbi Jack Bieler's "seamless whole".
I have written a lot.
Please may I have your responsa.
Thank you for the opportunity.
With best wishes
Yours in education
Frank Samuels
Principal : Yeshiva College of South Africa</HTML>
